LG S40T 2.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

LG S40T — A Budget 2.1 Soundbar That Includes the Subwoofer

The LG S40T is a 2.1-channel soundbar with a wireless subwoofer included at approximately $150-200. In a market where most soundbars under $200 either skip the subwoofer or include a weak one, the S40T''s included wireless sub provides bass that flat soundbars physically cannot produce. Total system output is 300W — enough for rooms up to approximately 300 square feet.

Sound Performance

The soundbar handles mids and highs through dual full-range drivers. Dialogue clarity is adequate for TV viewing — a noticeable upgrade from built-in TV speakers, though not in the same league as Bose or Sonos soundbars that specifically engineer vocal frequency reproduction. The wireless subwoofer extends bass response to approximately 40-50Hz, adding weight to explosions, music bass lines, and general low-frequency content that a soundbar alone can''t reproduce.

The subwoofer connects wirelessly — place it anywhere in the room (typically behind or beside furniture). The pairing is automatic on first power-up. There''s no manual crossover adjustment; the system handles bass management internally.

Connectivity

HDMI ARC (not eARC — no lossless audio passthrough), optical input, and Bluetooth. The HDMI ARC connection handles most standard TV audio formats (Dolby Digital, PCM). For Dolby Atmos or lossless codecs, eARC is required — which this soundbar doesn''t support. For streaming services that output Dolby Digital (Netflix, Disney+, most content), HDMI ARC is sufficient.

Bluetooth allows direct music streaming from phones without routing through the TV. LG''s Sound Bar app provides basic EQ presets (Standard, Bass Boost, Movie, Night) — the Night mode compresses dynamic range to keep explosions quiet while maintaining dialogue volume, useful for apartment dwellers.

Value Position

At $150-200 with wireless subwoofer included, the LG S40T competes with the Vizio V21 ($120-150) and Samsung HW-C430 ($130-180). All three deliver similar base performance. The LG''s advantage is the wireless subwoofer flexibility and LG''s typically cleaner UI. The S40T is the right choice for viewers upgrading from TV speakers who want meaningful bass without spending $500+ on a premium system.